The Ritz-Carlton Brings Its Legendary Service to the Heart of Kenya’s Masai

18th August 2025: In the heart of Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, where golden savannah stretches  to the horizon and the Sand River winds through acacia trees, The Ritz-Carlton’s intimate treetop retreat  offers a rare invitation to connect deeply with nature and culture. From the moment guests arrive,  traditional Maasai rituals greet them, including a symbolic blessing and fresh scent of leleshwa leaves.  Days unfold with private guided safaris in open-air luxury Land Cruisers, revealing the drama of wildebeest  river crossings and opportunities for observing lions, leopards, buffalo, rhinoceros, elephants, and more  than 500 bird species in their natural habitat. Guests may explore the Kenya-Tanzania Border Stone or rise  with the sun for hot air balloon flights over the plains, culminating in champagne breakfasts beneath the  vast African sky. As dusk falls, the call of a Maasai warrior’s ceremonial horn signals the transition to night,  welcoming an evening filled with rich stories and serene moments under a canopy of stars. 

“Bringing The Ritz-Carlton to the Masai Mara is more than just opening a new property, it’s a deeply  meaningful moment for us,” said Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury at Marriott International. “This is  a place that stirs your soul. Where land, wildlife, and culture create something truly extraordinary. We’re  offering travelers a chance to slow down, to connect deeply with nature and with themselves, and to  experience the kind of hospitality that stays with you long after you leave. It’s a new chapter for The Ritz Carlton – one where our legendary service and values come to life in one of the world’s most remarkable  destinations.” 

A Serene Treetop Sanctuary 

Just steps from the Kenya–Tanzania border, the 20 tented suites — including a Presidential Villa — are set  on raised platforms among native acacia trees, offering panoramic views of the riverine forest and sweeping  savannah. Designed by LW Design, the architecture draws from the principles of biophilic design, where 

nature and structure exist in quiet harmony. The camp’s distinctive hooded tents, with their soft, rounded  forms, echo the meandering Sand River. Canvas walls, flowing drapery, and indoor-outdoor lounges melt  the boundary between room and landscape, creating an environment where the rustle of leaves, scent of  rain and calls of the wild move freely through each space. Outside, guests can soak in the views from private  plunge pools, outdoor showers and canopy-level stargazing decks. 

Inside, the design is a celebration of Kenyan textures and craftmanship, bringing depth and authenticity to  every detail. Earthy palettes and tactile materials - hand-carved wood, semi-volcanic stone, and woven  textiles handloomed by local women - create a rich, understated materiality. Intricate Maasai beadwork, seamlessly integrated into joinery and furnishings, anchors the camp in local heritage.  

Art throughout the camp serves as a powerful storytelling medium, grounding guests in the cultural and  natural heritage of the Masai Mara. Dynamic cheetah statues mid-sprint by Simon Bannister above  fireplaces evoke movement, strength, and resilience, while photographic portraits of local women by Gian  Paolo Tomasi blend documentary realism with emotional depth. Vintage photographs by Carol Beckwith  and Angela Fisher document age-old Maasai rituals and ceremonies. 

Each suite is paired with a personal Encholiek—a Maasai term meaning “one who walks with you.” Part  cultural guide, part intuitive butler, the Encholiek offers guests a rare blend of immersive storytelling and  elevated service, ensuring every moment is both deeply rooted and effortlessly refined.  

Experiences Rooted in Connections 

At the heart of the camp, the Discovery Hub serves as a vibrant space for curiosity, creativity, and cultural  exchange. Guided by resident experts and a dedicated Cultural Ambassador, the centre celebrates the  Maasai tradition of storytelling, sharing environmental knowledge, and connections to the land. Young  guests can enjoy board games in the relaxed Raha social space; while aspiring photographers can elevate  their skills with access to professional equipment, a photography studio, and on-site guidance from  resident photographers. 

Beyond the Discovery Hub, beadwork sessions, and traditional pottery and art classes offer meaningful  interaction with Maasai artisans. Younger explorers (children aged 6+) can participate in the Young Warrior  Programme - a playful, educational journey led by Maasai guides, including nature walks and a rite-of passage certificate to mark their adventure. 

Flavours of the Mara 

Dining at The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is a sensory journey where bold African flavours are  served with panoramic views. Nest, the camp’s signature restaurant, offers globally inspired dishes  reimagined with East African soul. As dusk falls, Canopy, the camp’s vibrant bar and lounge, offers bush inspired cocktails and shareable plates, enhanced by the Spice of Africa ritual, where guests can select  their own blend of local spices to infuse gin or cocktails. Elevated above the plains, Upeo Sky Deck hosts  celestial dinners under the stars, with telescopic stargazing and mythic tales. For oenophiles, the Wine  Cellar offers sommelier-led tastings of rare vintages paired with a six-course menu of regional delicacies,  while the traditional Boma comes alive with Maasai music, storytelling, and a feast of grilled meats and  indigenous flavours. Bush breakfasts, romantic sundowners, in-suite dining, and immersive cocktail  masterclasses complete a culinary journey deeply rooted in place and tradition.  

Where Nature Nurtures 

Whispering Tree Spa takes its name from the acacia trees that hold deep spiritual significance for the  Maasai — sacred spaces where generations have gathered for storytelling, ceremony, and reflection.  Locals say the wind rustling through the leaves carries ancestral whispers, a belief that shapes the soul of  the spa experience. Drawing on this tradition, treatments are inspired by local botanicals like aloe and  marula and begin with a “Welcome of the Wild” ritual, a sacred water blessing and grounding foot soak.  Expert therapists curate personalised experiences that flow through breathwork, meditation, and yoga  while signature ceremonies blend indigenous ingredients with age-old healing practices to guide guests on  transformative journeys of renewal for body, mind, and spirit. A fitness centre, outdoor pool with sweeping  savannah views, and curated herbal infusions complete the wellness sanctuary.

Sustaining the Wild, Supporting the Future  

The Ritz-Carlton, Masai Mara Safari Camp is committed to creating a lasting and meaningful impact, with  planned initiatives in biodiversity, habitat restoration, education, and community empowerment designed  to support both the resilience of the Greater Mara Ecosystem and the wellbeing of its surrounding  communities. 

Plans are underway to implement a comprehensive biodiversity monitoring program using infrared  cameras to track wildlife movements and support regional conservation efforts. In partnership with  conservation organisations, habitat restoration initiatives will focus on regenerating riparian forests and  wetlands along the Sand River, with guests invited to participate in tree-planting experiences that connect  luxury travel with ecological impact. Community empowerment will also be a core focus, with a dedicated  initiative to train and employ female wildlife rangers, empowering local women to monitor wildlife, guide  guests, and serve as conservation ambassadors within their communities. 

More than 70% of the team are from local communities, and a dedicated apprenticeship program  empowers youth from the region to pursue careers in hospitality. The camp also supports educational  community projects and has recently supported Emboo Primary School with book donations, and the  planting of fruit tree seedlings, enhancing both learning conditions and long-term food security for  students. . 

In addition, the camp is committed to sustainable operations. The camp is fully solar-powered, and will be  among the most energy-efficient camps in East Africa, with a 650kW solar farm and 7,000kWh of battery  storage capable of powering the property for up to three days. A closed-loop water treatment system  recycles greywater and harvests rainwater, while a zero-waste-to-landfill policy minimizes environmental  impact.  

The camp is located near Serena Airstrip, just a 45-minute flight from Nairobi’s Wilson Airport. For those  preferring a scenic journey, the camp is accessible via a five-hour drive from Nairobi. 

Rates start from $3,500 per person, per night (all-inclusive*).  

For more information and reservation inquiries, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com 

*The all-inclusive rate includes accommodation with personalised butler service, all dining experiences  and beverages (excluding premium wines and spirits, as well as Upeo and Wine Cellar experiences), two  private game drives per day, laundry, Wi-Fi, use of professional Canon photographic equipment and editing  guidance, binoculars, and return Serena Airstrip transfers.